Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan Now×
Skip to content
WatchRanker
Search
For vendors
Blog

Omega Speedmaster 60th Anniversary vs. Speedmaster Calibre 321: Which Should You Choose?

The 60th Anniversary channels the CK2915 Broad Arrow; the steel Calibre 321 looks to the 105.003 and revives the original movement. Compare their specifications and trade-offs.
Estimate4–5 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The 2017 Speedmaster 60th Anniversary is the closer visual tribute to the original CK2915 Broad Arrow; the steel Speedmaster Calibre 321 looks to the later 105.003 generation and pairs that design with the revived calibre 321 movement. The choice is less about which is “more original” and more about which era, movement, materials and ownership experience suit you.

These watches refer to different Speedmaster generations

The Speedmaster 60th Anniversary (ref. 311.10.39.30.01.001) was part of OMEGA’s 1957 Trilogy and takes its visual cues from the CK2915, the first Speedmaster. Its broad-arrow hands, steel tachymeter bezel and black tropical-style dial make the early reference the most obvious point of comparison. OMEGA lists the edition as limited to 3,557 pieces. OMEGA’s Japan product page.

The steel Speedmaster Calibre 321 (ref. 311.30.40.30.01.001) draws on the third-generation 105.003, associated with the first American spacewalk. It is not the same watch as the 60th Anniversary with a different movement: the dial, hands, bezel, crystal and caseback all create a distinct look. OMEGA’s heritage page identifies the steel model and its design reference. OMEGA’s 105.003 heritage page.

Neither modern model is a vintage original. The Calibre 321 name can also appear on other precious-metal Speedmasters, so the comparison here is specifically with the steel ref. 311.30.40.30.01.001—not the separate 38.6 mm Canopus Gold model described in Swatch Group’s 2022 announcement.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

At a glance: the differences that matter

Decision point Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Steel Speedmaster Calibre 321
Design reference CK2915 / Broad Arrow 105.003 / third generation
Reference 311.10.39.30.01.001 311.30.40.30.01.001
Movement Hand-wound calibre 1861; 48-hour power reserve (OMEGA Japan) Hand-wound calibre 321; 55-hour power reserve and 2.5 Hz (OMEGA Japan)
Stated case diameter 38.6 mm (OMEGA Japan) 39.7 mm (OMEGA Japan)
Bezel and crystal Steel bezel; reinforced plastic crystal, OMEGA’s local wording for Hesalite Black ceramic bezel with white enamel tachymeter scale; double-domed sapphire crystal (Fratello, 2021)
Dial and hands Black tropical-style dial; Broad Arrow hands and warm-looking lume Black stepped dial; white baton hands and more recessed subdials
Caseback Closed back with Seahorse/Hippocampus engraving (Fratello, 2021) Sapphire display back (Fratello, 2021)
Availability Discontinued limited edition; current listings not established Verify regional stock with OMEGA or an authorized dealer

OMEGA’s specifications for the 60th Anniversary, including its dimensions and water resistance, are on the product page; the steel 321’s specifications are on the heritage page. The bezel, crystal, dial and caseback descriptions draw on Fratello’s 2021 comparison.

The movement is the central heritage distinction

Calibre 1861 in the 60th Anniversary

The 60th Anniversary uses the hand-wound calibre 1861, with a 48-hour power reserve according to OMEGA Japan. It does not contain calibre 321. The 1861 connects the watch to the later Moonwatch lineage rather than to the specific movement used in the Speedmaster at launch.

Revived calibre 321 in the steel model

The steel 321 is the choice if the movement itself is central to your interest. Swatch Group stated in its 2019 announcement that the original calibre 321 was the first movement used in the Speedmaster in 1957. OMEGA says the modern reconstruction was revived to original specifications in a dedicated workshop; that is the manufacturer’s description, not a claim that a modern watch is identical in every respect to a vintage one. The reintroduction drew on historical research and original plans, including digital tomography of the Speedmaster ST 105.003 worn by Gene Cernan. Swatch Group’s 2019 announcement.

OMEGA lists the modern steel model’s calibre 321 at a 55-hour power reserve and 2.5 Hz. A longer reserve is a specification difference, not by itself a measure of overall quality or a guarantee of greater accuracy.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Omega
  • Model 310.30.42.50.01.001

Size and materials affect the wearing experience

The 321’s stated diameter is 39.7 mm, compared with 38.6 mm for the 60th Anniversary—a 1.1 mm difference. Fratello notes that the bezel contributes to the difference. Diameter alone cannot predict how either watch will sit on your wrist; lug-to-lug measurements are not established in the cited specifications, so try both if fit is a priority.

The 60th Anniversary’s steel bezel and Hesalite-style crystal support its older-inspired appearance. The steel 321’s ceramic bezel, white enamel tachymeter scale and sapphire crystal bring a different material feel and a more contemporary contrast. Crystal preference is personal: neither material makes one watch universally better for everyday wear.

Fratello’s author describes the 60th’s lume as warm-looking and its bracelet as thick or bulky, while preferring the flatter bracelet on the 321. Those are one writer’s impressions, not universal fit judgments. Try the bracelet on your wrist before deciding; the 60th has a 19 mm lug width, and a replacement strap should be checked for fit and compatibility. No strap is implied to be included or OMEGA-approved.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Availability and buying a discontinued 60th Anniversary

Fratello reported in 2021 that the 60th Anniversary had been discontinued and could be found pre-owned. Current inventory and asking prices are not established here. For the steel Calibre 321, check stock and current pricing with OMEGA or an authorized dealer in your region rather than relying on old price reports.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

When considering a pre-owned 60th Anniversary, check the exact reference and verify the watch’s authenticity, condition, service history and limited-edition documentation. Establish whether the box, papers, booklets and accessories are present; completeness can matter to buyers of a limited edition. Fratello’s comparison also reported in 2021 that Calibre 321 production capacity was a maximum of 1,000–2,000 units per year, attributing that figure to OMEGA. That is a dated capacity report, not a current count of actual annual production.

Which Speedmaster fits your priorities?

  • Choose the 60th Anniversary if the CK2915 Broad Arrow look is what you want: broad-arrow hands, a steel bezel, a 38.6 mm stated diameter and a closed vintage-style caseback. Its calibre is 1861, not 321, and buying one now means assessing an individual pre-owned example.
  • Choose the steel Calibre 321 if you prefer the later 105.003 design and want the revived calibre 321, plus a ceramic bezel, sapphire crystal and display back. Its stated diameter is 39.7 mm, so try it on rather than judging fit from the number alone.
  • Let the specific watch decide if buying pre-owned: condition, service history, documentation and completeness may outweigh small specification differences between otherwise appealing examples.

Fratello’s 2021 comparison cited original European prices of €6,800 for the 60th Anniversary and €14,000 for the Calibre 321. These are historical retail references, not current prices or a guide to present-day resale value. No current market-wide resale statistic comparing the two is established.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 3
Omega
Omega
Model 310.30.42.50.01.001
$7,600.00

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More lots from the Journal

  1. Lot1How to Best Sell Your Watch: Choose the Right Channel for Your GoalBlogEstimate 7–9 min
  2. Lot2Spring-Bars and NATOs: A Practical Guide to Watch Straps, Buckles and BarsBlogEstimate 6–8 min
  3. Lot3A Philosophical Guide to Building the Perfect Watch CollectionBlogEstimate 6–8 min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.